28 BIG 12
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BAYLOR BEARS
Baylor earns respect after road victory
KANSAN FILE PHOTO
Defensive end Jeff Wheeler (84) tries to tackle a Baylor player during the Jayhawks 58-10 victory on Oct. 13, 2007. The Bears are preparing to play the Connecticut Huskies on Saturday.
By Kevin Tamer Baylor Lariat
WACO, Texas — It was only a matter of time before the Baylor football team started receiving some national attention, but it came a little sooner than expected.
After the Bears' 24-21 win on the road against Wake Forest, Baylor received votes in both The Associated Press Top 25 poll and the USA Today coaches' poll.
Head coach Art Briles appreciates the attention it brings Baylor, but he has his eyes set on the bigger picture of winning football games.
"It's good recognition," Briles said. "But our goal for the season wasn't just to beat Wake Forest. We have to move on, keep taking care of business and everything else will take care of itself."
The Bears received 17 votes in AP poll, which placed them 38th, and two votes in the USA Today Coaches' Poll to put them at 44th.
This is the most votes Baylor has received in the AP poll since the 1998 season
in which the Bears defeated North Carolina State at home during week three. Additionally, this is also the first time since 2005 the Bears have received votes in the coaches' poll.
When asked about Baylor receiving votes in the polls, quarterback Robert Griffin welcomed the good news, but isn't giving it much attention.
"At least we got a vote," the Copperas Cove native said. "But we aren't looking at that much. If we get in there, we get in there. But right now we are just focusing on winning games."
Despite receiving votes and getting national attention, the Bears still believe they have room to improve. Baylor is looking to become more consistent on both sides of the ball and cut down on penalties, which caused them to give up a total 90 yards during the Wake Forest game.
"The more people who are talking about Baylor it is better for us," senior linebacker Joe Pawelek said. "But that was not our best football game. To get that first road win against a quality opponent is good for us."
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THE WAVE SEPTEMBER 18,2009
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN